It’s been more than a month since he lost his bid to be the Democratic nominee for Texas agriculture commissioner, and the cigar-smoking author-musician can’t shake the loss — or how he was treated by fellow Democrats.

Friedman, in D.C. for a recent performance at the Washington Jewish Music Festival, wanted to talk about being sabotaged by party officials in the May 27 runoff.

“Democrats came after me personally with robocalls,” he told the Star-Telegram. “I thought a primary was sacred for people to choose.”

Friedman, who ran on a pro-hemp, pro-marijuana platform, lost the runoff by nearly 10 points to Jim Hogan, a rancher who did not campaign.

Asked whether it was the end of his political career, Friedman likened himself to Winston Churchill, who was booted out of office after leading Britain through World War II.

“I’m to be cremated and the ashes are to be thrown into Rick Perry’s hair,” he said. “Yeah, I’m done. I’m not whining. I’m liberated.”

Texas investments

Texas was tops in the nation last year for private equity investment.

And one North Texas congressional district ranked 14th in investment value — Rep. Kenny Marchant’s 24th Congressional District, according to the new report Private Equity: Top States and Districts.

The report shows that private equity invested $5 billion in 28 companies in the district represented by Marchant, R-Coppell.

Five other Texas districts made the top 15 — Rep. John Carter’s 31st District was first; Rep. John Culberson’s 7th District was third; Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson’s 30th District was seventh; Rep. Pete Sessions’ 32nd District was 11th; and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s 18th District was 13th.

Fading tradition?

U.S. House members revived a fashion moment recently with the return of National Seersucker Day.